The Varsity Cinema

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The Varsity Cinema Des Moines' nonprofit community art house cinema.
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Tickets are going fast for tomorrow’s FREE advance screening! Join us for on October 21 at 7:15 pm, presented by the H...
10/20/2026

Tickets are going fast for tomorrow’s FREE advance screening! Join us for on October 21 at 7:15 pm, presented by the Harkin Institute.

Sian Heder‘s new film looks at a pivotal moment in Judy Heumann’s lifelong activism: the historic 504 Sit-In of 1977.

Judy led groups of people with disabilities to sit in at federal buildings across the country, breaking barriers, setting records, and garnering national attention.

The film will be presented in both the Main Auditorium and the Loft Auditorium. Both screenings will feature Open Captions. Staff from The Harkin Institute will be on hand to provide additional assistance if needed.

Reserve a ticket via our website!

We were saddened to learn of the passing of Ann Hornaday: A brilliant film writer, Des Moines native and one of the firs...
10/19/2026

We were saddened to learn of the passing of Ann Hornaday: A brilliant film writer, Des Moines native and one of the first supporters of the Varsity Cinema restoration. Our thoughts are with everyone who knew Ann or loved her work.

10/18/2026

Opening this week: YOU CAN SEE EVERYTHING 👀 Nathan Fielder and Lance Oppenheim gaze into the abyss of Elizabeth Holmes’ intimate life, one month before she's sent to prison, in this mind-bending, uncanny documentary, being praised as one of the best of all time.

SENSE AND SENSIBILITY is now playing!Critics are gushing about the new adaptation, starring Daisy Edgar-Jones:💞 “This wi...
10/17/2026

SENSE AND SENSIBILITY is now playing!

Critics are gushing about the new adaptation, starring Daisy Edgar-Jones:
💞 “This wistful take on the sisters has much to say about girlhood and coming into one’s own.” – Us Weekly
🌳 “Visually lovely, emphasizing the wide gulf between the stuffy world of manners
and the wild freedom of forests and moors.” – New York Times
🧾 “A film you’ll want to snuggle up with” – RogerEbert .com

We had an amazing turnout for last night’s screening of “The Bright Path: The Johnny Bright Story” which chronicles the ...
10/16/2026

We had an amazing turnout for last night’s screening of “The Bright Path: The Johnny Bright Story” which chronicles the life of African American trailblazer Johnny Bright who changed college football forever. 🏈 Thank you to Drake University for hosting the event and the discussion with the film’s crew and Bright’s relatives!

In partnership with The Harkin Institute, we are thrilled to present a special advance screening of BEING HEUMANN, the s...
10/15/2026

In partnership with The Harkin Institute, we are thrilled to present a special advance screening of BEING HEUMANN, the story of Judy Heumann, a leader of the global disability rights movement whose activism helped change laws and how people see disability.

Join us on Wednesday, October 21 at 7:15pm! Tickets are free, but must be reserved. Additional accessibility details are available on our ticketing page.

https://varsitydesmoines.com/movies/being-heumann-special-preview-screening-with-the-harkin-institute/

Join us Tuesday, Oct. 20 for a FREE screening of GROUNDSWELL đŸŒ± Presented in partnership with Drake University! Stay afte...
10/14/2026

Join us Tuesday, Oct. 20 for a FREE screening of GROUNDSWELL đŸŒ± Presented in partnership with Drake University! Stay after the film for a special conversation with Gov. Tom Vilsack and Laura Turner Seydel.

Narrated by Demi Moore and Woody Harrelson, this award-winning documentary shows how farmers, ranchers, scientists, change-makers and Indigenous leaders are using regenerative agriculture to restore the planet one acre at a time.

Reserve your seat at: https://varsitydesmoines.com/movies/groundswell

10/13/2026

We have another Met: Live in HD screening this weekend! Join us on Saturday at 12pm for MACBETH, presented with Des Moines Metro Opera. A representative from DMMO will be present 30 minutes before each screening to share information about DMMO, the upcoming 2027 Festival Season, and connect with patrons!

Two of opera’s most extraordinary artists star in Verdi’s thrilling take on Shakespeare’s immortal tale. Quinn Kelsey is the Scottish king haunted by the ghosts of his murderous ascent to the throne, opposite Lise Davidsen—the world’s reigning dramatic soprano—as the power-mad Lady Macbeth, whose ruinous ambition damns them both. Met Music Director Yannick NĂ©zet-SĂ©guin takes the podium for a penetrating production by Louisa Proske, a brilliant young director making waves around the world.

Tickets at: https://varsitydesmoines.com/movies/the-metropolitan-opera-2026-27-macbeth/?utm_source=facebook&utm_medium=social&utm_campaign=or

10/12/2026

Manor, abbey, streets or house? stars Daisy Edgar-Jones & Esmé Creed-Miles play a game of Regency-era MASH. The new take on Jane Austen's classic tale opens this Thursday, Oct. 15!

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1207 25th Street
Des Moines, IA
50311

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